We are heading into Mid-Season–with several premieres and returns this week already–so it is time to do a quick rundown of where all the Fall sci fi and fantasy shows stand as far as their renewal / cancellation prospects heading into the second half of the TV year. Only one show from Fall has been cancelled thus far, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, and I look at that one in more detail at this link. Below is the rundown of the rest of the Fall entries starting with those that have been renewed and working down to those likely headed to cancellation. Be sure to stay tuned to this site and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site to follow the status of your favorite shows throughout the rest of the current season.
Renewed:
American Horror Story (FX): This show continues to perform well for a cable entry (actually better than many broadcast net shows) and has been renewed through its ninth season.
Channel Zero (Syfy): The numbers for this one were pretty low during its second season, but it was already renewed through a fourth season before Fall. Whether it continues beyond that remains to be seen.
Dark (Netflix): Netflix keeps coming up with unexpected hits, and this German-language entry is the latest to catch on with that streaming service’s audience.
The Good Place (NBC): This one continues to perform well enough for a sitcom on the broadcast nets and has received some good buzz from critics.
Missions (Shudder): This show was already renewed for a second season when it debuted on AMC’s streaming service Shudder. It has received some good buzz and could stick around a few more years.
Mr Robot (USA): The linear ratings were down for this one in its third season, but it continues to stir up good buzz on the internet and plenty of attention during awards season. Expect it to get the five seasons that creator Sam Esmail wants, if not more.
The Orville (FOX): This show was a surprise hit in its first season, possibly better liked by the sci fi community than the new Star Trek entry (as suggested by the poll over on The Sci Fi TV Site). Hopefully FOX will put its full support behind the show going forward and assure that it continues for several more seasons.
The Punisher (Netflix): This spin-off from the Defenders shows will stick around for one more season at least and all of those could make the leap to Disney’s upcoming streaming service at some point.
Outlander (Starz): One of the few shows on all of television that actually saw year over year gains to its linear ratings, it was already renewed through its fourth season and I expect it to add on a fifth season if not more.
Star Trek Discovery (CBSA): This show did not receive universal acclaim from the sci fi community, but was liked by enough people and drove enough subscriptions to CBS All Access to get the second season nod. Expect it to stick around for several more years beyond that.
Stranger Things (Netflix): This 80’s throwback series remained popular in its second season and looks like it will stick around for at least two or three more years.
Van Helsing (Syfy): This show likely survived because Syfy’s new entries tanked in the ratings in the Fall. But Van Helsing does have a notable following that is active on the social networks, so perhaps they can help to carry this one into a fourth season.
Z Nation (Syfy): This show’s numbers were down notably in its fourth season, but it is inexpensive to produce and has a loyal fan following. I wouldn’t be surprised if this show’s fifth season or possibly sixth will be its last, though.
Renewal Likely: These are shows that, short of unforeseen circumstances, will almost certainly be back for another season.
Arrow (CW): This show’s numbers are down and its popularity definitely seems to be waning. But The CW likes to renew shows, not cancel them. Expect at least one more year from this one before the network starts consolidating its superhero shows (more on that in an upcoming post).
Black Mirror (Netflix): There’s no word yet on a fifth season of this show, but the fourth season has delivered plenty of good buzz, so expect this one to be back for more.
The Flash (CW): The numbers are down for this show, but it continues to lead all the other shows on the fifth place network, so it will definitely be racing back for a fifth season.
Legends of Tomorrow (CW): The numbers have held mostly steady for this show in the current season, and I expect at least one more year from this one and possibly more as The CW may decide to consolidate its other Arrow-verse entries into this team-up series (more on that in an upcoming post).
Riverdale (CW): This show’s numbers are up year-over-year and it is a huge hit on the social nets and with the younger crowd. Expect this one to stick around for a few more years.
Supergirl (CW): The linear viewing for this one is definitely down from last year, but a fourth season gets it to the episode count that the syndication market prefers for an extended encore run. A renewal is assured this year, but then it could get consolidated with the other superhero shows after that (more on that in an upcoming post).
Supernatural (CW): Assuming the show’s leads want to stick around for a fourteenth season, then this one will be back next year. There is also a spin-off in the works that could eventually pick up the torch from the parent series.
The Walking Dead (AMC): This show will be back for a ninth season, but I find it interesting that AMC has not made that official yet. The “Walking Dexit” has taken its toll and I will be looking at that in more detail in an upcoming post.
Renewal Possible: These are shows that currently tracking toward renewal, but that could change over the second half of the season.
Extinct (BYU): It’s hard to gauge the future of this show because I’m not quite sure what measurement BYU TV is using to determine if it is successful. It has garnered some good buzz among the sci fi community, but I haven’t noticed that a strong fanbase has rallied around it. Perhaps having Orson Scott Card’s name attached will be enough to get the show at least one more season.
Freakish (Hulu): This horror entry remains mostly under the radar, but its possible that Hulu and Awesomeness TV could decide to bring it back for another year.
Future Man (Hulu): This sci fi comedy received a mixed reaction, but it has a better chance of getting a second season since it is on one of the streaming services.
Ghosted (FOX): This show got off to a good start ratings-wise, but faded toward the end of Fall. If it slips any further when it returns from hiatus, then its status could change. But for now it seems to be doing well enough for a broadcast net sitcom these days.
The Gifted (FOX): The same day ratings for this show slipped in late Fall, but it regularly places in the Top 25 based on Live+7 delayed viewing. As long as it does not slip off too much at Mid-Season, I believe it should get the second year nod. Update: This show has been renewed for a second season.
Gotham (FOX): The numbers for this show have been acceptable in its fourth season, but not great. Anything beyond the current year is just padding to the syndication package, and whether it comes back depends on what sort of deal that Warner Bros. (the studio that owns it) offers FOX.
Happy (Syfy): This show debuted with the best numbers Syfy has seen since early in 2017, but then it dropped off pretty quickly. Still, it is outpacing the network’s other Fall shows, so I like its chances for a second season at this point.
The Last Man on Earth (FOX): This perennial under-performer has managed to hang on longer than one might expect and now it is pretty close to a syndication friendly count of episodes. Expect at least one more year from this one to get it above the 80 episode threshold.
The Librarians (TNT): This show’s numbers are down in its fourth season, but the fan support is still there and I expect it should get at least one more season if not more.
Lucifer (FOX): This show’s numbers are at barely acceptable levels and it is not seeing much in the way of delayed-viewing gains. But it is not far from a syndication friendly count of episodes (about a season and a half sprint away), so if Warner Bros. offers FOX a good enough deal, the network could decide to keep it around.
MacGyver (CBS): This show has slipped in its second season, but it still makes it to the Top 25 based on total viewers most weeks. If it stays there through the rest of the season, then I believe CBS will keep it around for another year.
Runaways (Hulu): The buzz has been positive about this series thus far and I believe it has a decent chance of returning for a second season.
Stan Against Evil (IFC): The linear ratings for this show were low in its second season, but still okay for an IFC entry. I would have thought that they would have announced the renewal already, though, so maybe they are having to put more thought into their decision this year.
On the Bubble: These are shows that are currently a toss-up for renewal or cancellation.
Agents of SHIELD (ABC): The same day ratings for this show are pretty low, but that’s not surprising seeing as it airs on Fridays. It has been seeing notable delayed-viewing gains, and it is Disney’s Marvel Universe tie-in on Prime Time, plus any additional seasons are just padding to the syndication package. Its future will come down to whether the Mouse House decides to keep it going for another year.
The Exorcist (FOX): This show was a surprise renewal last year, and its already-low ratings have slipped further in its second season. I am leaning toward moving this one to Cancellation Likely, but maybe it has international deals that could keep it going for another year.
Once Upon A Time (ABC): The move to Friday (and the cast purge) has done this show no favors. But any additional seasons are just padding to the syndication package, so if Disney decides they want this one to stick around for another year, it could continue on. But I’m guessing this will be its last season.
Cancellation Likely: These are shows that look certainly headed toward cancellation, short of a miracle save (like The Exorcist last season) or other intangibles that could keep them viable for their networks.
Ghost Wars (Syfy): Syfy’s supernatural slate was a big dud in Fall and I’m guessing this show will be another one-season-and-done casualty of Peak TV.
The Inhumans (ABC): This show was hurt by a lot of (undeserved) negative buzz as well as poor scheduling. But if developments with the Marvel Universe movies require that this one to stick around another year, then Disney could issue a decree for it to come back. I’m thinking that is not going to happen, though.
Kevin Probably Saves the World (ABC): Don’t let the additional episode order for this show fool you. That will likely just be used as schedule spackle. Unless this show sees a notable upturn in the ratings with its Mid-Season return, Kevin will probably not be saving the world much longer.
The Shannara Chronicles (Spike): This show dropped notably in the ratings from its first season run on MTV, and Spike seemed to be doing the burn-off approach with its double-episode airings. The name change to the Paramount Network starts on January 18th, and I have not seen The Shannara Chronicles included in any of the promotions for the new net’s programming. I’m thinking it will get squeezed out unless it has international backing that could carry it into a third season.
Superstition (Syfy): As with Ghost Wars, this was another supernatural strike-out for Syfy in Fall. It barely received any promotion before its debut and has since been kicked out of Prime Time to what is almost certainly a burn-off run at 11 PM EST on Thursdays.
